— 106 — 



Messrs. E. Bewsher, Cli. Brtice, N. Desjardins, F. Dick, 

 Dr. Dickson, Messrs. P. Lemiere, Ch. Meldrum, N. 

 Merle, L. Pitot, A. Eampant, V. Eobiilard, Dr. W. 

 Rogers and P. Vandermeerscli. 



Dr. Arthur Edvrards and Mr. Chantrell attended as 

 visitors. 



The Secretary, with permission granted by His Excel- 

 lency the Governor, opened the meeting by the following 

 remarks with reference to the work on Mauritius suggested 

 by Mr. Bruce : 



•' In the few observations, " he says/' I made, at the last 

 meeting, relative to Mr. Bruce's proposition, I involuntary 

 omitted the name of one of the most active contributors to 

 the Transactions of the Society— Mr. Castillon who has 

 presented very interesting papers on Meteorology, a Theory 

 of Cyclones, and other subjects connected with Phisics. 



'• More recently, we all know that the Hon. Mr. Newton, 

 Dr. Le Juge, and MM. Clark and Eobillard have also con- 

 tributed to our periodical publications, in a series of articles 

 on the Oinithology, Conchology and Crustacese of Mauritius- 



" Now, we must sincerely hope that Mr. Bruce will perse- 

 vere in his work, in spite of the wreck which threatens to 

 overtake his bark, hardly yet launched, through those who 

 should most take to heart the intellectual progress of Mauri- 

 tius, aud encourage the few who follow up serious studies, 

 and cultivate the arts and sciences. 



'' In that respect, the men of high intelhgence in the 

 neighbouring island, are to be congratulated, both as regards 

 the " esprit de corps " which prevails among them, and the 

 spirit of the press towards them. 



" The Society of Arts and Sciences at Eeunion, of which 

 I have the honor of being a correspondent member, publish 

 like ourselves, their " Bulletin " yearly. There is then a 

 mutual exchange of the result of both studies between th© 

 two Societies. 



" A work similar to that proposed to be written here, printed 

 in Paris, was published in 1862 at Eeunion, under the title of 



